Ramonas: League gives up night to help fellow bowler

This week, I am departing from my normal column to focus on a special event that’s happening today to help a local bowler, and friend, who is in dire need of our help.

Steve Holt is one of the premier bowlers in our area, amassing seven 300s and two 800s in his career. He has spent many years coaching our youth bowlers and has been a regular participant in many of the local tournaments as well as the area’s competitive leagues.

The Saint Lucie Classic, the area’s largest and most competitive league that Steve has bowled in since its inception nine years ago, has cancelled tonight’s league session to allow it’s bowlers to come out and support him.

In all my years of bowling, I can’t remember any league making such a selfless gesture for one of its bowlers. Bowlers really are a special, closely-knit community.

Several years ago, Steve was diagnosed with a rare genetic defect of his liver. As his health deteriorated, it became clear that his only hope for survival was going to be a new liver. Fortunately, Steve has been placed on the liver transplant list and will hopefully soon go through a life-saving transplant surgery.

As you can imagine, the financial burden on his family is tremendous. No longer able to work and having to spend so much money on insurance, deductibles, medical procedures and having to travel and stay in out-of-town hospitals, the family that has given so much to our community now needs our help.

Wednesday from 4 p.m. until 10 p.m., The Van Duzer Foundation is holding a fundraiser for Steve at the Big Apple Pizza in Fort Pierce (right across the street from the IRSC main campus).

Event: A sLiver of hope for Steve

Date: Feb. 21, 2018, 4-10 pm.

Place: Big Apple Pizza, 2311 S 35th St., Fort Pierce

Phone: 772-528-3467

As with all Van Duzer Foundation events, 100 percent of all money received, as well as the salaries and tips of all the staff, will be donated to help Steve and his family.

Even if you cannot attend the fundraiser in person, please consider donating anything you can by visiting http://vanduzerfoundation.org.

Weekly Scores

Note: scores are in this order: Men’s high game and series, women’s high game and series, boys’ high game and series, and girls’ high game and series (where applicable).